Dark Island
Mike Oldfield Lyrics


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Away to the westward
I'm longing to be
Where the beauties of heaven
Unfold by the sea
Where the sweet purple heather blooms
Fragrant and free
On a hilltop high above
The Dark Island

So gentle the sea breeze
That ripples the bay
Where the stream joins the ocean
And young children play
On the strand of pure silver
I'll welcome each day
And I'll roam for ever more
The Dark Island

True gem of the Herbrides
Bathed in the light
Of the midsummer dawning
That follows the night
How I yearn for the cries
Of the seagulls in flight




As they circle above
The Dark Island

Overall Meaning

In Mike Oldfield's song "Dark Island," he is expressing a deep longing to escape to the western part of Scotland known as the Herbrides, where the sea meets the shore and the beauty of heaven seems to unfold. He paints a picture of rolling hills covered in sweet, fragrant purple heather, and a shoreline that is gentle and inviting. The sea breeze is curled off into the bay, where the stream joins the ocean, and children play on a strand of silver. Oldfield's voice is filled with emotion as he sings about roaming aimlessly over the Dark Island, which he sees as a true gem of the Herbrides, bathed in the light of the midsummer dawning that follows the night.


The lyrics to "Dark Island" help to evoke strong emotions in listeners, and the song has a timeless quality that continues to attract new fans over the years. It is said to be one of Mike Oldfield's greatest works, and there are many fans who will attest to the fact that it leaves them feeling peaceful and content whenever they listen to it. Whether it's the vivid imagery of the western shore of Scotland or the gentle melodies of Oldfield's music, "Dark Island" has a way of capturing the soul and lifting the spirit.


Line by Line Meaning

Away to the westward
I desire to journey westwards


I'm longing to be
I have a strong yearning to be there


Where the beauties of heaven
At a place where the exquisite beauty of heaven


Unfold by the sea
Is revealed beside the ocean


Where the sweet purple heather blooms
In a place where the delightful purple flowers of the heather flourish


Fragrant and free
With pleasant aroma and unrestricted growth


On a hilltop high above
Atop a tall hill


The Dark Island
That is called the Dark Island


So gentle the sea breeze
The wind from the ocean gently blows


That ripples the bay
Causing waves and movement on the bay


Where the stream joins the ocean
A river meets the sea


And young children play
Small children are having fun


On the strand of pure silver
On a beach with bright, silver-colored sand


I'll welcome each day
I will greet each new day with enthusiasm


And I'll roam for ever more
I will wander and explore always


The Dark Island
This special place called the Dark Island


True gem of the Herbrides
A genuine treasure of the Herbrides


Bathed in the light
Brightly illuminated


Of the midsummer dawning
By the early morning sun of midsummer


That follows the night
After the previous night's darkness


How I yearn for the cries
I long to hear the sounds


Of the seagulls in flight
When seagulls are soaring overhead


As they circle above
In loops around the sky


The Dark Island
This place known as the Dark Island




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MICHAEL GORDON OLDFIELD

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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